Autumn Sonata (1978)

Autumn Sonata (Höstsonaten)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Written by Ingmar Bergman
1978/Sweden
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Criterion Channel

Eva: A mother and a daughter, what a terrible combination.

Another beautiful Bergman film about people’s inability to connect.

Eva (Liv Ullmann) is a rather mousey woman who has married a parson.  They have no children but Eva likes looking her after her severely disabled sister Helena (Lena Nyman). She invites her mother Charlotte (Ingrid Bergman, who has just lost her long-time partner, to spend a few days or weeks with them.  Charlotte agrees and Eva is elated to see her again after seven years.  Charlotte is a famous concert pianist who has spent most of her time touring since Eva was a child.  She has simply tried to ignore the existence of Helena and is not pleased she wasn’t told in advance she would also be at Eva’s house.

Charlotte is self-absorbed and has neglected her children in favor of her career.  We later learn that Eva was lessmiserable when her mother was on the road than when she was at home and her mother tried to “fix” her.

During the visit, Eva lets out her pent-up rage.

Bergman and Bergman make a good combination.  And certainly Ullmann always disappears into her parts.  It’s a deep and disturbing movie.  Recommended.

Autumn Sonata was nominated for Oscars in the categories of Best Actress (Bergman) and Best Original Screenplay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxA94uSQ-t0

Clip